Explosion at French carnival0:20

At least 18 people have been injured in an explosion at a carnival in France. Credit: Twitter/FranceNews24

April 1st 2017

2 years ago

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A video grab made from a handout video obtained by AFPTV on April 1, 2017 shows an explosion during a carnival, injuring at least 18 people, in Villepinte, north of Paris. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

WARNING: This story contains footage which may be distressing for some readers

AT least 18 people were injured in an explosion at a fair in Villepinte, a Paris suburb, according to French media reports.

Three children and the mayor were among those injured. At least five people were reported to be seriously hurt.

The explosion took place during the lighting of a bonfire. It was believed to be accidental and not linked to a criminal or terrorist act.

One man told Le Parisien there was immediate chaos and panic and that he saw “a man with a broken arm, a child with blood on his face” and “people running around to find their children.”

Another witness said: “The kid was screaming and covered in blood.

One video which has been posted by France 24 (see above) shows how the blast occurred, before viewers can hear hundreds of people screaming in shock as they flee the scene. The camera also drops as the person filming the incident was unable to keep calm.

Other video footage and a Periscope stream shows a huge fire, as well as fire trucks, ambulances and police cars at the scene.

those at the event were immediately evacuated from the carnival grounds.

Dozens of carnival-goers were injured by the explosion or flying debris, most of them suffering from shock as well as minor to moderate injuries. A least four people were seriously injured in the blast.